A scaled-back version of the original development plans for the American Legion property will go before Chapel Hill’s Community Design Commission on Tuesday.

The concept plan, which was submitted by Woodfield Investments on July 26, calls for a maximum of 400 multifamily units – down from 600 originally – on the approximately 36-acre property.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said the proposal was adjusted after community feedback.

The site has been a point of contention in the community since early 2016, when the original plans were being discussed. Community members have been divided between those supporting the plan to develop the land and those calling for the town to purchase the property and utilize the entire property as park space.

The previous version of the Chapel Hill Town Council voted in 2015 to forego the town’s right of first refusal to purchase the property for $9 million.

The proposal documents say that Woodfield has been in “ongoing discussions with the Town” regarding the potential development of the property. The development company also held a community meeting in January to allow citizens to voice any concerns they had of the development plan.

Hemminger said the scaled-back plans may not be enough for some Chapel Hillians to embrace the project.

“It scales back, [but] I think people were still hoping that there was an opportunity for something completely different,” Hemminger said. “I don’t know what that looks like.”

Hemminger said she was “interested” to see the presentation Tuesday night after the concept plan was submitted earlier in the summer.

Hemminger added the town staff had been busy over the summer collecting data including a needs assessment, the regulating plan for the area and other information. She said that means the Town Council will be very informed when the plan is presented to the council in September.

“By the time the council meets and sees this proposal itself,” Hemminger said, “we’ll have more information and a better grasp on what’s actually going on over on that side of town.”

The Community Design Commission meeting Tuesday night is scheduled for Town Hall at 6:30 and is open to the public.

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